U.S. patent number 5,973,420 [Application Number 08/943,775] was granted by the patent office on 1999-10-26 for electrical system having a clear conductive composition.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Colortronics Technologies L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Sel Avci, Andrew R. Ferber, Terrance Z. Kaiserman, Adrian I. Rose.
United States Patent |
5,973,420 |
Kaiserman , et al. |
October 26, 1999 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Electrical system having a clear conductive composition
Abstract
An electrical system, or a trigger circuit for use in connection
with an electrical system, is disclosed. The electrical system
includes a circuit element responsive to applied current, a power
source for providing current to the circuit element, a substrate,
and a substantially clear conductive composition arranged on or in
associatin with the substrate for providing an electrical current
path between the power source and the responsive circuit
element.
Inventors: |
Kaiserman; Terrance Z.
(Loxahatchee, FL), Rose; Adrian I. (Gillette, NJ), Avci;
Sel (Clifton, NJ), Ferber; Andrew R. (New York, NY) |
Assignee: |
Colortronics Technologies
L.L.C. (East Newark, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
26703227 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/943,775 |
Filed: |
October 3, 1997 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
307/139;
204/192.29; 438/609; 307/112; 428/46; 318/370 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K
1/095 (20130101); Y10T 428/162 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
H05K
1/09 (20060101); H01H 009/54 () |
Field of
Search: |
;307/112,147,139
;204/192.29 ;313/370 ;438/609 ;428/46 ;174/250 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Paladini; Albert W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz
& Mentlik, LLP
Parent Case Text
The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/028,057, filed on Oct. 3, 1996.
Claims
We claim:
1. An electrical system comprising:
at least one circuit element responsive to applied current; a power
source for providing current to said at least one circuit element;
a substrate; substantially clear conductive composition arranged on
said substrate for providing an electrical current path between
said power source and said at least one responsive circuit element;
and a trigger point including an open circuit area in said clear
conductive composition, said trigger point being functional upon
placing a conductive object across said open circuit area thus
creating a closed circuit condition whereupon current can flow to
said responsive circuit element.
2. The electrical system of claim 1 wherein said at least one
circuit element comprises an active circuit component.
3. The electrical system of claim 1 wherein said at least one
circuit element comprises a passive circuit component.
4. The electrical system of claim 1 wherein said substrate
comprises wallpaper.
5. The electrical system of claim 1 wherein said substrate
comprises a fibrous material.
6. The electrical system of claim 1 wherein said substrate
comprises a polymer.
7. The electrical system of claim 1 wherein said substrate
comprises wood.
8. The electrical system of claim 1 wherein said substrate
comprises a fabric.
9. The electrical system of claim 1 wherein said substrate is
selected from the group consisting of cured resins, paints or
inks.
10. The electrical system of claim 1 wherein said substrate is
substantially nonconductive.
11. The electrical system of claim 1 wherein said clear conductive
composition comprises a resin, a vehicle in which said resin is
dispersed or dissolved, and electrically conductive material.
12. The electrical system of claim 11 wherein said clear conductive
composition comprises a vehicle and electrically conductive
material.
13. The electrical system of claim 1 further comprising an opaque
conductive composition arranged in physical contact with said clear
conductive composition whereby current can flow from said power
source through both of said clear conductive composition and said
opaque conductive composition to activate said responsive circuit
element.
14. The electrical system of claim 1 further comprising a second
substrate and a second conductive composition arranged on said
second substrate, said closed circuit condition being obtained upon
placement of said second conductive composition at said open
circuit area of said clear conductive composition.
15. The electrical system of claim 14 wherein said second
conductive composition comprises a clear conductive
composition.
16. A trigger circuit for use with an electrical system having a
power supply, said trigger circuit comprising:
at least one circuit element responsive to applied current; a
substrate; conductive composition arranged on said substrate for
providing an electrical current path through which current supplied
by the power supply can flow, at least part of said conductive
composition being clear composition; a trigger point including an
open circuit area in said conductive composition; and a second
conductive object normally remote from said conductive composition,
said trigger point being functional upon placement of said
conductive object across said open circuit area thus creating a
closed circuit condition whereupon current can flow to said
responsive circuit element.
17. The trigger circuit of claim 16 wherein said open circuit area
is arranged at said clear portion of said conductive
composition.
18. The trigger circuit of claim 16 wherein said conductive object
comprises clear conductive composition arranged on a substrate.
19. The electrical system of claim 16 wherein said at least one
circuit element comprises an active circuit component.
20. The electrical system of claim 16 wherein said at least one
circuit element comprises a passive circuit component.
21. The electrical system of claim 16 wherein said substrate
comprises wallpaper.
22. The electrical system of claim 16 wherein said substrate
comprises a fibrous material.
23. The electrical system of claim 16 wherein said substrate
comprises a polymer.
24. The electrical system of claim 16 wherein said substrate
comprises wood.
25. The electrical system of claim 16 wherein said substrate
comprises a fabric.
26. The electrical system of claim 16 wherein said substrate is
selected from the group consisting of cured resins, paints or
inks.
27. The electrical system of claim 16 wherein said substrate is
substantially nonconductive.
28. The trigger circuit of claim 17 wherein a portion of said
conductive composition comprises opaque conductive composition
arranged in physical contact with said clear conductive composition
whereby current can flow from said power supply through both of
said clear conductive composition and said opaque conductive
composition to activate said responsive circuit element.
29. The electrical system of claim 16 wherein said clear conductive
composition comprises a resin, a vehicle in which said resin is
dispersed or dissolved, and electrically conductive material.
30. The electrical system of claim 29 wherein said clear conductive
composition comprises a vehicle and electrically conductive
material.
31. A trigger circuit for use with an electrical system having a
power supply, said trigger circuit comprising:
at least one circuit element responsive to applied current; a
substrate; clear conductive composition arranged on said substrate
for providing an electrical current path through which current
supplied by the power supply can flow; and a trigger point
including an open circuit area in said clear conductive
composition, said trigger point being functional upon placing a
conductive object across said open circuit area thus creating a
closed circuit condition whereupon current can flow to said
responsive circuit element.
32. The electrical system of claim 31 wherein said at least one
circuit element comprises an active circuit component.
33. The electrical system of claim 31 wherein said at least one
circuit element comprises a passive circuit component.
34. The electrical system of claim 31 wherein said substrate is
substantially nonconductive.
35. The electrical system of claim 31 wherein said clear conductive
composition comprises a resin, a vehicle in which said resin is
dispersed or dissolved, and electrically conductive material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electrical systems including
switch (trigger) circuits and conductive compositions. More
particularly, the present invention relates to an electrical
system, or a trigger circuit, for use as part of an electrical
system, having a clear conductive composition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conductive compositions have been developed for various purposes
including facilitating electrostatic discharge and as a current
transfer medium on printed circuit boards. Recently, conductive
compositions have been used, instead of conventional conductive
wires, as part of electrical systems. In particular, conductive
compositions have been used as a means for conducting current from
a power source to current operated modules on a variety of diverse
objects such as printed circuit boards, wearing apparel and
children's toys.
Examples of desirable electrical systems which use conductive
compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,749 which is
incorporated by reference herein and which is commonly owned with
the present application. The '749 patent discloses electrical
systems which include a power supply, one or more current operated
modules and conductive composition for connecting the power supply
to the current operated module so that current generated by the
power supply can be delivered to the current operating module. In
one embodiment, the conductive composition may be colored where the
coloring constitutes a substantially nonconductive portion of the
conductive composition. In another embodiment, the conductive
composition is arranged on an object and forms at least a portion
of a design thereon. In another embodiment, the conductive
composition includes features which render it sufficiently durable
to withstand multiple washes without cracking, substantial
resistance build-up or other failure. The aforementioned properties
of the conductive compositions disclosed in the '749 patent are
desirable in various applications.
Additional desirable electrical systems which use conductive
compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,948 which is also
assigned to the owner of the present invention. The disclosure in
the '948 patent is also incorporated by reference herein. The '948
patent particularly discloses a multilayer conductive composition
which can be used as part of an electrical system. Since the
multilayer conductive composition disclosed in the '948 patent is
an improvement over prior art conductive compositions in that it
can be used for "vertically conductive" applications (i.e.,
applications where it may be desirable to have a bottom layer of
the conductive composition with a higher conductivity than a top
layer thereof so that the top layer cannot conduct a substantial
amount of current along the surface thereof). The invention
disclosed in the '948 patent is also useful when it is necessary
for the conductive composition to be a desired color.
It is also known in the art to provide substantially clear
conductive compositions which have been useful for electrostatic
discharge applications. For example, the substantially clear
conductive composition may be spray coated around a computer
workstation to avoid electrostatic build-up that may interfere with
proper operation of an associated computer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,975 to Richardson discloses a process for
cathodic electrode deposition of a clear coating over a layer of
conductive paint. However, the '975 patent does not teach that the
clear coating should be electrically conductive. Thus, it clearly
does not teach the use of a conductive composition as part of an
electrical system.
Clear conductive compositions have also been used in the prior art
as resistive circuit elements that form part of a windshield
defrosting system. In this regard, clear conductive compositions
have been applied directly to the surface of an automobile
windshield. In such a system, when it is desired to defrost the
windshield, a switch is closed inside the automobile which permits
current to flow from a power source of the automobile through the
clear conductive composition and then to ground. In such a circuit,
the clear conductive composition function as a resistor which
dissipates a variable amount of heat in direct proportion to the
amount of current forced to flow through the resistive element
(i.e., through the clear conductive composition traces on the
windshield). The clear conductive composition traces in the
automobile windshield defroster systems do not provide an
electrical current path between the power source and a current
responsive circuit element. Further, there is no trigger point
which includes an open circuit area in the clear conductive
composition whereby current is permitted to flow through the clear
conductive composition to a responsive circuit element upon
placement of an additional conductive object across the open
circuit area.
Accordingly, the prior art has failed to provide an electrical
system, or a trigger circuit for use as part of an electrical
system, where a substantially clear conductive composition is
arranged on a substrate for providing an electrical current path
between a power source and at least one responsive circuit element.
Moreover, the prior art has failed to provide such a system where
the clear conductive composition is used as part of a switch (i.e.,
a trigger point).
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an
electrical system is contemplated which includes at least one
circuit element responsive to applied current. The electrical
system may also include a power source for providing current to the
at least one circuit element. A substrate is included as part of
the electrical system and a substantially clear conductive
composition is arranged on the substrate for providing an
electrical current path between the power source and the at least
one responsive circuit element.
The circuit element may comprise an active or passive circuit
component. For example, the circuit elements may comprise a
complicated integrated circuit having many current operated modules
thereon, sound chip components, transistors, capacitors, inductors,
resistors, diodes or the like.
Various substrates may be used in the electrical system of the
present invention. For example, suitable substrates include fibrous
materials such as paper products, various wallpapers, resins or
inks, polymers, wood, fabrics and other electrically nonconductive
materials. It should be appreciated that as used herein, the term
substrate is intended to include the surface of any article or
object which may be used for consumer or industrial purposes.
Further, the substrate may include articles or objects which may or
may not be conductive and which themselves have one or more layers
of composition applied to the surface thereof arranged beneath the
substantially clear conductive composition of the present
invention. Further examples of objects which may serve as
substrates include, without limitation, wearing apparel, toys,
furniture, walls, dashboards of automobiles, etc.
Various independent and dependent power sources can also be used in
accordance with the present invention. For example, the power
source may comprise a source of AC or DC power. The power source
may be a drainable supply, such as a battery, or it may be a
constant generated power source. Further, the power source may
comprise various combinations of electronic components and the
like.
The substantially clear conductive composition of the present
invention may comprise a resin, a vehicle in which the resin is
dissolved or dispersed, and electrically conductive materials. The
substantially clear electrically conductive composition may also
comprise other components.
Although the ratio by weight of the components of the substantially
clear electrically conductive composition of the present invention
may vary, certain embodiments may include resin in an amount of
between 5%-60% by weight thereof. The resin may comprise various
known materials which have the desired binding characteristics to
bind the additional ingredients of the electrically conductive
composition. The resin may be selected from the group consisting of
acrylics, urethanes, epoxies and oxidizing materials.
Many different types of resin and vehicles in which the resins may
be dispersed or dissolved can be used in accordance with the
present invention. Certain suitable resins and vehicles are
described in the commonly assigned '948 patent, the disclosure of
which is incorporated by reference herein.
The vehicle of the substantially clear electrically conductive
composition of the present invention may be present in an amount of
between about 5%-75% by weight thereof. The vehicle may comprise
various solvents and other liquids in which the resin is dissolved
or dispersed. Such solvents and other liquids may include, without
limitation, aliphatic solvents, aromatic solvents, terpene
solvents, alcohols, esters, chlorinated solvents, ether esters,
ketones, glycols, glycolethers, platicizers, surfactants, polyols,
defoamers, rosins, crosslinkers, silanes, dispersants and water. As
used herein, the term dispersed is intended to cover embodiments
wherein resin is carried by a liquid, rather than being truly
dissolved therein. A liquid dispersion medium may be a medium in
which the resin is dispersed, but in which other materials may be
truly dissolved.
A substantially clear electrically conductive composition may also
comprise one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting
of flow agents, defoamers, wetting agents, cross-liking agents and
curing agents. Examples of suitable clear conductive compositions
are provided in Table I and formulation example nos. 1 and 2
below.
Electrically conductive materials may be present in the
substantially clear conductive composition in an amount by weigh of
between about 5%-80%. There is no limit on the specific types of
electrically conductive materials which may be used in accordance
with the present invention provided that such materials do not
impart substantial opacity to the clear conductive composition.
Antimony doped tin oxide or indium doped tin oxide have been found
to be suitable conductive materials. Sodium magnesuim silicate
powder may also be used.
Preferably, a trigger point (i.e., a switch) is incorporated into
the present electrical system. The trigger point may include an
open circuit area in the substantially clear conductive
composition. To this end, the trigger point is functional upon
placing a conductive object across the open circuit area thus
creating a closed circuit condition whereupon current can flow to
the responsive circuit element.
The electrical system may also comprise a second substrate and a
second conductive composition arranged on the second substrate. In
this embodiment, a closed circuit condition may be obtained upon
placing the second conductive composition at the open circuit area
of the clear conductive composition. In still another preferred
embodiment, the second conductive composition may also comprise a
clear conductive composition.
In another preferred embodiment, the electrical system of the
present invention may comprise an opaque conductive composition
arranged in physical contact with clear conductive composition
whereby current can flow from the power source through both
conductive compositions to activate the associated responsive
circuit element.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a
trigger circuit is provided for use with an electrical system
having a power supply. In accordance with this aspect of the
present invention, the trigger circuit is simply a portion of the
overall electrical system. According to this aspect of the present
invention, the trigger circuit may comprise a circuit element
responsive to applied current, a substrate, clear conductive
composition arranged on the substrate for providing an electrical
current path through which current supplied by an associated power
source can flow. A trigger point is also provided including an open
circuit area in the clear conductive composition. As discussed
above, the trigger point may be rendered functional upon placing a
conductive object across the open circuit area thus creating a
close circuit condition whereupon current can flow to the
responsive circuit element.
Another embodiment of the trigger circuit of the present invention
may be modified from the trigger circuit discussed above in that
the conductive composition arranged on the substrate need not be
entirely made of clear conductive composition. In this embodiment,
at least part of the conductive composition would be clear. If
desired, the entire conductive composition of the trigger circuit
may be clear. The trigger circuit may also comprise a second
conductive object normally remote from the conductive composition
where an associated trigger point is rendered functional upon
placement of the conductive object across the open circuit area of
the conductive composition. The open circuit area may be arranged
at the clear portion of the conductive composition, or at an opaque
portion of the conductive composition.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical
system, or a trigger circuit for use in connection with such
electrical system, where at least a portion thereof comprises a
substantially clear conductive composition arranged on or in
association with a substrate for providing at least a portion of an
electrical current path between an associated power source and a
responsive circuit element.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
electrical system, or a trigger circuit for use in connection with
an electrical system, where it appears that a magical or mysterious
response is obtained from an associated circuit element upon
closing of the trigger circuit.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be
more apparent when considered in combination with the following
detailed description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of an electrical system of
the present invention.
FIG. 2 is another simplified schematic of the present electrical
system.
FIG. 3 is another embodiment of a simplified schematic of an
electrical system used to produce multiple circuit element
responses within an electrical system of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the present electrical system
used as a light switch.
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the present electrical system
used as an interactive placemat assembly.
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic sketch of an article of clothing including
the electrical system of the present invention arranged to form a
design.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The use of clear, conductive compositions of the type described
herein as part of a trigger circuit for electrical systems have
significant advantages with respect to activation of responsive
circuit elements. Such circuit elements may be used to produce
sound, light, heat, or various other visual, audio and functional
effects.
In a preferred embodiment, the clear conductive compositions of the
present invention are substantially colorless and thus may be
referred to as water white. The clear conductive compositions of
the present invention can be used in numerous consumer and
industrial applications where it is desirable to use an "invisible"
material as opposed to a material that has a certain opacity or
color associated with it. For example, it has been established that
the present clear conductive compositions can be effectively used
in connection with electrical systems when coated on paper
products, plastics, wood products, ceramics, marble and various
other materials such as melamines, acrylics, apoxies, urethanes,
alkyds and many other types of resin and other materials.
It is also possible to intermix or inbed the subject clear
conductive compositions into products on which the compositions may
or may not also be coated. For example, the clear conductive
compositions can be incorporated into a pulp slurry used in the
papermaking process to form conductive paper products. Similarly,
the clear conductive compositions can be incorporated into a
polymer mixture during a process for manufacturing various plastic
materials in order to obtain a conductive plastic.
A novel and unobvious concept of the present invention also relates
to the use of the subject clear conductive compositions in
interactive trigger circuits. Various products can be coated with
the subject clear conductive compositions for use in such
interactive trigger circuits. Although there are too many uses to
particularize herein, various examples will now be provided where a
substantially clear conductive composition could be used as part of
a trigger circuit. It should be appreciated that the clear
conductive compositions of the present invention may be applied to
a substrate surface by various known techniques such as knife
coating, blade coating, air knife coating, reverse roll coating,
gravure coating, transfer coating, vole coating, hot melt coating,
spray coating, calendering, saturation, vacuum metalizing,
laminating, dipping, extrusion, electrodeposition, powder coating
techniques, screenprinting--flat and rotary, lithography or offset
printing, letterpress, flexography, pad printing, transfer
printing, brushing offset printing, decal application method,
inkjet printing, thermography, and zerography. Other known and
future methods of applying surface coatings besides those set forth
above may also be used in order to apply the clear conductive
compositions of the present invention to a substrate surface.
Use of the clear conductive compositions of the present invention
may be particularly desirable when a "magical" or mysterious effect
is desired as when a current responsive circuit element is
activated without a visual indication that a switch has been closed
to activate an associated circuit component.
The present invention is also directed toward a method of
activating trigger circuits in electrical systems. Such a method
may include the steps of providing at least one current responsive
circuit element which is adapted to provide an output response to
applied current, a power source for providing current to the at
least one circuit element, a substrate, and a clear conductive
composition arranged on or in association with the substrate for
providing an electrical current path between the power source and
the at least one current responsive circuit element. The method
also includes the step of providing a second conductive object
which may incorporate a conductive composition, a person's finger,
or any other conductive material. A further step of the present
method includes placing the second conductive object in contact
with the substantially clear conductive composition on the
substrate at a trigger point whereby electrical activation of the
current responsive circuit element is achieved. Such triggering may
be accomplished by bridging a normally open circuit area in the
clear conductive composition with the second conductive object so
that an electrical circuit is completed. In this environment, the
combination between the normally open circuit in the clear
conductive composition and the second conductive object acts as a
switch.
Suitable examples of acceptable clear conductive compositions are
set forth in Table I below:
TABLE 1
__________________________________________________________________________
Manu- Dupont Dupont Dupont Dupont Dupont Dupont Dupont CPS Chemical
Americhem Dupont facturer Product Zelec TY Zelec NE Zelec NK Zelec
UN Avitex DN Avitex E Zelec CD-100 Agequat C1405 System 3 Avitex
Antistat Antistat Antistat Antistat Softener Antistat Conductive
Softener Polymer Composition Alkyl Alkyl Alkyl Alkyl Quaternized
Compounded Dispersion of Quaternary Solution of Quater- Phosphate
Phosphate Phosphate Phosphate Alkylol- Quaternary ECP 3010-XC
Ammonium Conductive nary Acidic Amine Ammonium Homopolymer
Polyaniline Alkylol- Salt Ami Ionic Type Anionic Anionic Anionic
Anionic Cationic Cationic N/A Cationic N/A Cationic Active 50% 100%
100% 100% 35% 21% 40%.+-. 30-40% 20-48% 25% Ingredients % Density
10.00 9.3 8.8 8.2 8.3 8.5 9.0 8.7-9.0 7.5-9.0 8.2 25 C. lb./gal pH
10% 6.7-7.3 7.0-7.6 7.0-7.6 1.0-3.0 7.0-9.0 6.0-8.0 N/A 4.0-5.0 N/A
6.5-7.5 Aqueous Solution
__________________________________________________________________________
The resistivity levels of each of the above listed products range
from 50 ohms to above 20 megaohms.
A more specific formulation of two examples of clear conductive
compositions which have been found to be effective for use in
connection with the present trigger circuit now follows:
FORMULATION NO.
______________________________________ INGREDIENTS PERCENTAGE BY
WEIGHT ______________________________________ H.sub.2 O 60%
Laponite RDS, Sodium 14% Magnesium Silicate Powder (available from
Southern Clay Products) A-5090 - a water based 26% acrylic polymer
(available from Zeneca) ______________________________________
This formulation of a clear conductive polymer has been found to be
effective as a sprayable or dippable composition, which is an
acrylic dispersion. In obtaining this clear conductive composition,
14% by weight of sodium magnesium silicate powder was mixed with
60% by weight of water. These materials were mixed in a high speed
blender until all of the dry sodium silicate powder was completely
dissolved. The clear composition was then blended with 26% by
weight of a water-based acrylic polymer (A-5090). The overall
composition can be applied to various nonconductive substrates for
use as part of a trigger circuit.
Although the film thickness may vary, the clear conductive
composition was effective at transmitting current at approximately
1 ml when applied to the surface of a nonconductive substrate.
After being sprayed, or otherwise applied to a substrate surface,
it may be desirable to take steps to expedite drying of the
composition. When dry, the composition is entirely clear. The
surface resistivity at 1 ml thickness was found to be about 5
megaohms square for the foregoing formulation.
FORMULATION NO.
______________________________________ INGREDIENTS PERCENTAGE BY
WEIGHT ______________________________________ ZELEC TY
(commercially 75% available from DuPont) A-5090 - a water based 25%
acrylic polymer (commercially available from Zeneca)
______________________________________
Seventy-five percent by weight of ZELEC TY, a commercially
available product from DuPont was blended with 25% by weight of a
water based polymer. The water based polymer can be acrylic or
polyurethane based. The mixture was then mixed in a highspeed
blender until a uniform compound was obtained. The resulting
material was then applied onto the surface of a paper substrate to
form a 1 ml thick film. The clear conductive composition film was
then cured with an air dryer. The surface resistivity was measured
and found to be substantially conductive.
An electrical system 10 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. The
electrical system 10 includes a power supply 12, clear conductive
composition leads 14, a light emitting diode (LED) 16, and an open
circuit area 18 between a high side of the lead 14 which is
connected to the power supply 12 and a low side of the lead 14
which is connected to ground. For the purpose of this simplified
schematic, the substrate on which the electrical system 10 is
mounted is not shown. In operating this simplified circuit, a user
would simply place a conductive object across the open circuit area
14 to connect the high and low leads of clear conductive
composition 14 to each other. This will permit current to flow to
activate LED 16 (e.g., a responsive circuit element) so that a
visual lighted effect can be achieved. The "trigger point" includes
the combination between the open circuit space 18 and the
corresponding high and low sides of the clear conductive
composition leads 14.
FIG. 2 illustrates a further simplified electrical schematic of the
present invention. In this scenario, a sound module 26 is
electrically connected as part of electrical system 20. A power
supply 22 is connected to the sound module 26 and to one side
(i.e., the high side) of a clear conductive composition lead 24.
The other side (i.e., the low side) of the clear conductive
composition 24 is connected to ground. An open circuit area 28
exists between the high side and the low side of the clear
conductive composition leads 24. If a conductive object is placed
between the high and low sides of the clear conductive composition
leads 24, a closed circuit condition would occur which would permit
current to flow from the power source 22 through the sound module
26 so that a desired sound would be produced. Many types of
conductive objects would be sufficient to close the circuit between
the high and low sides of the trigger circuit. For example,
depending upon the current requirements of the sound module 26, a
person's finger may have sufficient conductivity to complete the
circuit.
It should be appreciated that the electrical characteristics of the
simplified circuits shown in the drawings are not new. It is the
arrangement of the clear conductive compositions of the present
invention as part of such trigger circuits that provide the novelty
and unobvious nature of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a similar electrical system to that of FIGS. 1
and 2. The difference is that FIG. 3 includes four separate
responsive circuit elements 36A-36D, which may produce similar or
different characteristics. For example, 36A-36D may comprise four
separate sound chips. Thus, the electrical system 30 would be
capable of producing four separate sounds depending upon which part
of the circuit is activated. If a conductive object is placed
across any of the respective open circuit areas 38A-38D, current
would flow between the high side of the conductive compositions
34A-34D which is connected to the power source 32, and the low side
thereof, which is connected through the corresponding circuit
elements 36A-36D to ground.
Since the clear conductive composition leads are not visible, a
user would need to know a reference point to determine exactly
where the trigger point is in electrical system in order to
activate the associated circuit. Depending upon the application,
such an arrangement may be particularly practical, or may be fun.
Examples of applications include the following:
EXAMPLE NO. 1--RESTAURANT CONCEPT
In order to make paper and plastics products interactive, they must
first be made conductive. Some items found in a fast food
restaurant that may be coated with a clear conductive compound
would be napkins, straws, placemats, food wrapping paper, french
fry holders, drinking cups, plastic eating utensils, drink lids,
food trays, game cards, etc. (see for example FIG. 5 and the
discussion regarding same below). Once these items absorb moisture
from the air and retain that moisture on the surface making the
coating hygroscopic, they will act as conductors or trigger
devices. In essence the moisture content of the substrate is
changed. The compounds must be food safe and can either be on a top
coat after the particular substrate is printed and cut in its final
form or can be intermixed into the paper or plastic making process
from the beginning stages as discussed above. This would be a
simple formulation change and keep the converting costs the same as
they normally would be. If the clear conductive compositions are
actually imbedded into paper material due to intermixing during the
manufacturing process, they may not need a resin.
When these conductive paper or plastic materials are incorporated
into an interactive point of purchase (POP) display, they can be
used as part of a trigger circuit which will create a closed
circuit condition when contacted with another conductive material
at a trigger point. This will cause the interactive display to
commence its pre-programmed activity. This could be to turn on a
transistor that would activate a sound chip and/or lights or could
start a motor. This interactive POP could announce a game prize,
make random sounds applicable to a particular promotion, turn on
lights and a spinning wheel or any iterations that one can think.
All possibilities of using combinations that would commence when
turning on an electrical circuit could be accomplished, this
circuit can be powered using AC or DC power sources, whichever is
needed for the proper design and performance of the Interactive
POP.
EXAMPLE NO. 2--TOY CONCEPT
A piece of cloth used as doll clothing or a doll hand could have a
transparent coating on it. The coating would not only be
hygroscopic but would also contain conductive compounds that are
chosen to be water white (clear) or almost water white. These would
be more permanent coatings that would have more stringent ultimate
properties in order to pass certain abrasion and wear requirements
dictated by the particular substrate usage mandated by a customer.
These coatings would act as triggers to turn on an electrical
circuit. The advantage of using a clear coating is obvious. There
is no color matching necessary to accomplish making something
conductive. It can be applied with greater ease. A colored coating
that is not evenly sprayed shows surface variations which equate to
visible color shifts. Although clear conductive compositions should
also be applied as evenly as possible, there are no visible color
shirt due to uneven coating application.
A doll could touch another doll and they would talk to each other
because they are holding hands and it would trigger a gossip
conversation. A plastic cat could touch a doll and trigger a
purring sound--a meow or a comment from the pet owning doll. These
examples are limited by your imaginatiion.
EXAMPLE NO. 3--HOME FURNISHING CONCEPT
There is a clear spray that can be sprayed on a wall to make it
conductive in order to attach it to a light switch touch control
circuit (see for example, FIG. 4 and the description of same
below). This would allow an invisible conductive composition path
to be applied from the wall next to their easy chair to the light
on/off switch (especially designed for touch activation. Additional
coating methods may be employed to apply conductive compositions of
the present invention to a wall surface. Instead of requiring a
person to walk over to a wall or lamp switch to turn off lights, he
could touch the wall at a trigger point between "invisible"
conductive composition leads and turn on/off or even dim the
lights. Various versions of conductive compositions could be
manufactured that have different gloss levels in order to match the
gloss level of many paints and other wallcoverings.
EXAMPLE NO. 4--SAFETY CONCEPT
Existing security screens must be sent to an outside contractor
when it is necesssary to have them re-worked with conductive wires.
The procedure is costly, time consuming and results in visible
wires. One application of the present invention contemplates
coating screens with a clear conductive composition. The clear
conductive compositions would be attached to a circuit to allow for
the same level of security that exists in the present method.
Existing screens found at the client's home could be used with an
installer spraying or otherwise coating those screens on site. No
delay and immediate security for the customer are obtained while
the installer benefits from increased profits.
EXAMPLE NO. 5--TALKING BOOK CONCEPT
Electric books, commonly referred to as talking books, could have
overcoats of a clear conductive compound that would not interfere
with the four color process printing. Prints could be made with a
printing plate or spot coated using clear conductive compounds and
these selected locations could act as trigger points to actuate a
circuit and appear invisible to the reader. The actuation could be
for sound, lights or motors or a combination of same. These
locations could be actuated by touching, absorbing moisture from
the air announcing messages of humidity. They could be actuated by
heat and given messages that it is hot today and many more
examples. Again limited by imagination.
FIG. 4 illustrates an application of clear conductive compositions
in accordance with the home furnishing example discussed above. In
this regard, a portion of a room is displayed which includes a wall
40. A lighting fixture 42, such as a lamp, is plugged into an
ordinary 120 volt AC power source.
Operation of the lamp 42 may be controlled by a standard wall
switch, or by touch activation of the clear conductive composition
leads 44 at trigger point 48. The high and low conductive
composition leads 44 would need to be touched by a conductive
object such as a person's finger, across the open circuit area at
trigger point 48 so that current is permitted to flow from the AC
power source through the control circuit 46 and the clear
conductive composition 44 and the resistive light bulb and then to
ground.
The arrangement shown in FIG. 4 may be practical as it provides an
additional location at which lamp 42 can be turned on and off. At
the same time, since the conductive composition is entirely clear,
it does not disturb the desired aesthetic appearance of the room.
Further, the present invention is fun in that a person can simply
touch a designated spot on the wall in order to achieve the magical
effect of a light bulb turning on or off. The clear conductive
composition 44 may be applied to the wall 40 by various methods
including brush on, spray coat, etc.
FIG. 5 illustrates yet another application of the present invention
in accordance with the interactive restaurant concept discussed
above. In particular, a paper placemat 50 is shown with a
combination of opaque conductive composition 58 in the form of a
cow design and a trace pattern, and clear conductive composition 54
thereon. It is desirable of the electrical characteristics of the
opaque conductive composition 58 and the clear conductive
composition 54 be substantially the same in order to obtain optimum
operation of the associated circuit.
The placemat assembly 50 shown in FIG. 5 is interactive when
combined with cup 62 having conductive composition 64 coated at the
bottom thereof. The conductive composition 64 may be clear or
opaque. Reference indicia is provided on the placemat 50 to
instruct a person where to place the cup 62 at reference location
60 between high and low trigger leads of the clear conductive
composition 54. The printed reference location 60 should not be
made of conductive composition as it is desirable to maintain an
open circuit condition between the high and low leads of the
conductive affect composition 54 at trigger point 66 when the
interactive cup 62 is not placed thereon.
Placemat 50 initially appears as a conventional placemat with a
design of a cow (arbitrarily selected) thereon. The cow is printed
of opaque or colored conductive composition 58 and is connected for
direct electrical communication with the high side of the power
supply 52. The sound circuit 56 is electrically connected to the
opaque conductive composition 58 at the high side of the clear
conductive composition 54. For purposes of distinguishing between
the clear conductive composition 54 and the conductive composition
58, the clear conductive composition has been illustrated in FIG. 5
with dotted lines. However, it should be undersood that the clear
composition is continuous on the surface of placemat 50.
When a cup 62 is placed at reference location 60 the conductive
composition 64 coated at the bottom of the cup 62 creates a closed
circuit condition at trigger point 66 between the high and low
leads of the clear conductive composition 54. Current is then
permitted to flow from the power source 52 through the conductive
compositions 58 and 54 and the sound chip 56 to ground. The sound
chip 56 is programmed to create animal sounds such as "moo" which
appear to be coming from the cow design on the placemat. This sound
effect appears to be magical as the clear conductive composition 54
cannot be seen and there appears to be no wires or other conductive
flow path or switches on the menu 50.
FIG. 6 illustrates yet another embodiment of the electrical system
of the present invention where a substrate comprises a T-shirt 68.
A trigger circuit 70 is shown in the form of a guitar printed on
the T-shirt 68 with opaque colored conductive composition in
accordance with the disclosure in the commonly owned '749 patent.
Trigger circuit 70 includes a power source (not shown) which may be
sewn into a pocket of the T-shirt 68. The guitar design includes
six strings 72-82, which are also printed out of colored conductive
composition.
In order to activate the trigger circuit 70, it is necessary to
touch one or more of the conductive composition strings 72-82 with
another conductive object. Such a conductive object may comprise a
toy pick (not shown), which itself is nonconductive but is rendered
conductive when coated with a clear conductive composition in
accordance with the present invention. As the clear conductive
composition on the pick is placed in contact with one or more of
the colored conductive composition strings 72-82, a sound circuit
(also not shown) is activated which may be programmed to produce
sounds associated with corresponding guitar strings. It should also
be appreciated that the electrical system shown in FIG. 6 including
the guitar design may use the "vertical conductivity" concept
disclosed in the commonly owned '948 patent.
While the foregoing description and figures are directed toward the
preferred embodiments of the present invention, it should be
appreciated that numerous modifications can be made to various
features of the present invention. Indeed, such modifications are
encouraged to be made to the present electrical system, and trigger
circuit thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Thus, the foregoing description of the preferred
embodiments should be taken by way of illustration rather than by
way of limitation as the present invention is defined by the claims
set forth below.
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